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CSV opens in one column in Excel? Fix the semicolon delimiter

Your file is fine. Excel just split it on the wrong character. Here are four ways to fix it.

Why it happens

A CSV file separates values with a delimiter. Many files use a comma. Some, often from European tools, use a semicolon. When you double-click a CSV, Excel uses the list separator from your Windows regional settings. If it does not match the file, every line lands in column A.

Before and after

Before, in one column:

name;city;price
Anna;Vilnius;4,50
Jonas;Kaunas;12,00

After, in three columns (A, B, C):

namecityprice
AnnaVilnius4,50
JonasKaunas12,00

Fix 1: Import with Data, From Text/CSV

Best when you have not opened the file yet.

  1. Open a blank workbook in Excel.
  2. Go to Data, then From Text/CSV.
  3. Select your file and click Import.
  4. In the preview, open the Delimiter list and choose Semicolon.
  5. Click Load.

Older Excel versions may show From Text under Get External Data instead, with a similar wizard.

Fix 2: Text to Columns

Best when the file is already open in one column.

  1. Click the header of column A to select it.
  2. Go to Data, then Text to Columns.
  3. Choose Delimited and click Next.
  4. Tick Semicolon and untick the others. Check the preview.
  5. Click Finish.

Save the result as .xlsx if you want to keep the columns.

Fix 3: Change the Windows list separator

Best when all your CSV files use semicolons and you want double-click to work. This changes a setting for the whole PC.

  1. Open Control Panel, then Region.
  2. On the Formats tab, click Additional settings.
  3. Set List separator to ; (semicolon).
  4. Click OK, then restart Excel and reopen the file.

Windows will not accept a comma as list separator if the decimal symbol is also a comma. Also, files that use commas may now open in one column.

Fix 4: Google Sheets, Split text to columns

  1. Upload the file to Google Drive and open it with Google Sheets, or paste the text into a sheet.
  2. Select the column that holds the data.
  3. Go to Data, then Split text to columns.
  4. In the separator box that appears, choose Semicolon.

Using File, Import? Set Separator type to Custom and enter ; if auto-detect gets it wrong.

Want a comma CSV instead?

The tinygrid CSV Cleaner Pro option Fix delimiter lets you pick the output delimiter. It runs in your browser. Nothing is uploaded. Free up to 500 rows for the basic fixes. Pro is $4 once, 30 days.

Open CSV Cleaner

Questions

Why does my CSV open in one column in Excel?

The file separates values with semicolons, but Excel expects the list separator set in your Windows regional settings, often a comma. Excel then treats each line as one cell.

How do I open a semicolon CSV in Excel with columns?

In Excel go to Data, From Text/CSV, pick the file, and choose Semicolon in the Delimiter list. Then click Load.

How do I split an already open CSV into columns?

Select column A, go to Data, Text to Columns, choose Delimited, tick Semicolon, and finish the wizard.

How do I split semicolons in Google Sheets?

Select the column, then choose Data, Split text to columns, and set the separator to Semicolon.

Can I convert the file to commas instead?

Yes. The tinygrid CSV Cleaner Pro option Fix delimiter lets you choose the output delimiter. It runs in your browser and nothing is uploaded.

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